Dispenser for releasing a substance into a toilet bowl

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for releasing a treatment substance into a toilet bowl, said dispenser being in the form of an elongate tubular member, adapted to release the substance when the toilet is flushed, and resilient so that in use it is self-supporting under the rim of the bowl. The substance to be released is at least one of a bleach, cleanser, surfactant, perfume or disinfectant.

The present invention relates to a dispenser for releasing a substanceinto a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to provide dispensers for releasing substances such asbleaches, cleaners or disinfectants gradually or intermittently intotoilet bowls. These usually take the form of a solid block adapted to beheld near the rim of the bowl. Recently more complex arrangementswherein the substance is in liquid or gel form have also been developed.One problem with all of these arrangements is that the substance isdispensed only at one part of the rim. This means that the substance maynot adequately be dispersed around the whole bowl, for example toprovide an adequate cleaning or bleaching effect on all visiblesurfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provide a dispenser for releasing a substance intoa toilet bowl, comprising an elongate resilient member provided withmeans for retaining a substance and at least partially releasing thesubstance when the toilet is flushed, wherein said member is ofsufficient resilience and length so that it is longitudinallyself-supportable under the rim of a toilet bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a section of a toilet bowlillustrating the location of the dispenser in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a means for joining the two ends of thedispenser;

FIGS. 4 to 14 are perspective and cross-sectional end elevations ofsections of different embodiments of the dispenser;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a section of a toiletbowl illustrating an embodiment of a dispenser having a hook to enableits easy removal after use;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dispenser havingan end cap for filling or refilling the dispenser;

FIGS. 17 to 23 are perspective and cross-sectional end elevations ofsections of toilet bowl illustrating alternative filling systems for thedispenser; and

FIG. 24 is a plan view of a section of a toilet bowl illustrating thefilling system of FIG. 23 and means to adjust the length of thedispensing member.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment of a dispenser of the presentinvention. The dispenser is in the form of a flexible, resilient,elongate member (1) which, in use, comprises or contains the substancesto be released into the toilet bowl. The dispenser is longitudinallyself-supporting under the rim (3) of a toilet bowl. The member (1) is,in use, preferably formed into a circular or near-circular loop of theapproximate shape of the toilet bowl. Nevertheless, it need not be acomplete band, so long as it is long enough and sufficiently resilientsuch that it is longitudinally self-supporting under the rim (3) of thebowl. Desirably the member (1) has a length such that, in use, thesubstance is released into the toilet bowl around the entirecircumference of the rim (3) of the bowl.

The dispenser may comprise means (2) to alter the circumferential lengthof the loop, although this is not an essential feature. This may takethe form of a “S” shaped clip made of a resilient material adapted tohold the elongate member at each of its ends. The circumferential lengthof the loop can be adjusted by sliding either one or both ends of themember (1) through the clip.

Since the member (1) is flexible and resilient it naturally tries tospring back to its straight form. However, due to the constraint eitherof adjusting means (2) on the member (1) or the shape of the toilet bowl(if the adjusting means (2) is not present) it cannot achieve this andtherefore simply expands to a circular or near-circular loop of themaximum diameter possible, which means that the dispenser will naturallyplace itself under the rim of the toilet bowl once it has been put intoapproximate position, as shown in FIG. 2. If the band has acircumference which is less than that of the rim (3) of the toilet bowl,for example because the adjusting means (2) is used to limit thecircumference of the band to less than that of the rim (3), thedispenser will simply sit at the part of the toilet bowl having the samecircumference, although this is not preferred since the active substanceis not then released into the bowl above the dispenser.

The elongate member (1) may be made of any suitable flexible, resilientmaterial. It is preferably an extruded polymer, for examplepolypropylene.

It is an essential feature of the dispenser that it is adapted torelease a substance when the toilet is flushed. The dispenser mayrelease all of the substance when the toilet is flushed, but it ispreferred that only part of the substance is released so that thedispenser can be left in place for a number of flushes in a similarmanner as a conventional in-the-bowl (ITB) toilet block. The substancewhich is released may be any substance which it is desired to releaseinto or onto a toilet bowl; for example the substance may comprise atleast one of a bleach, cleaner, surfactant, perfume or disinfectant. Thedispenser may release perfume between flushes, and therefore provide acontinuous fragrancing action. The dispenser is preferably constructedand the formulation of the substance is preferably chosen such that thedispenser does not leak, drip or otherwise release the substance exceptwhen the toilet is flushed.

The dispenser can take any form which enables this function to befulfilled. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 it may be in the formof a tube (4) containing the substance in powder form (5). The substancecould also be in gel form. The tube (4) is porous so that flush waterwashes over and at least partially enters the tube (4), dissolving ordispersing the powder (5) so that some is released. The tube (4) may beperforated by the provision of a plurality of slits (6) along itslength. To ensure that the powder (5) does not simply fall out of thetube the slits (6) may be on the upper part of the tube when thedispenser is in use, or the powder may be of suitably large size. Forexample the powder may be granulated by conventional means so that thegranular particles have a larger size than that of the slits (6). Thetube may also be made porous by other means, for example by having atleast part of its surface made from a porous material which allowsliquid but not solid substances to pass through. Another embodiment isfor the non-porous tube to contain a single, elongate slit alongsubstantially its entire length.

A further embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5 which shows the dispenser inthe form of a flexible skeleton (7). The skeleton (7) has across-section consisting of a number of arms (8), for example from 3 to6, preferably 4 or 5, joined at the centre (9). These arms (8) take aform such that they can hold in place the substance (10). The substance(10) may be, for example, a gel or solid such as a soap. The substancemay simply be extruded onto the skeleton.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate a further embodiment in which the dispenser isin the form of a solid member (11). The member comprises a number ofprotrusions (12) so that it can engage and hold the substance (13) onone side of the member (11). The substance (13) may be, for example, agel or solid such as a soap or crystalline salt. FIG. 6 illustrates anembodiment where there are four, essentially straight protrusions (12).FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment wherein there are only twocircumferential protrusions (12) which extend partially around thesubstance (13). FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment where there are fiveprotrusions (12).

A yet further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in which thedispenser comprises a tube (14) containing a plurality of porous inserts(15), for example of paper or sponge. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11the porous insert (15) may be a continuous insert in the form of anelongate member running along the entire length of the tube (14). Thedispenser can hold the substance in liquid form. In use the porousinserts (15) become saturated with the liquid and release part of itwhen washed with flush water.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate further embodiments of the dispenser. Thedispenser in these embodiments is in the form of a tube (21). The tube(21) contains the substance in liquid form. The liquid may have a lowviscosity or may be thickened slightly. The tube (21) has a continuouselongate slit (22) along its entire length. The slit is preferably onthe lower surface of the dispenser but may be, for example, on the uppersurface or any other surface. As alternative embodiments the slit (22)may be non-continuous such that the tube contains a plurality of smallerslits (22) along its length. A porous material (23), for example ofpaper or sponge, is placed so it covers or fills the entire continuouselongate slit (22) or all of the plurality of smaller slits (22). Theporous material (23) may be continuous or, if there are a plurality ofsmaller slits (22) may comprise a plurality of sections, each sectionassociated with one or more smaller slits (22).

These different embodiments are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. 12 shows aporous material (23) in the form of a cylinder encapsulating the tube(21). FIG. 13 shows a porous material (23) in the form of an arcuatesection attached to the tube (21). The porous material may be held inplace by any suitable means, for example by an adhesive. FIG. 14 shows aporous material (23) in the form of a cylinder held within the tube (2i). These embodiments work in a similar means to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 9 to 11.

The dispenser may comprise removal means, such as a hook (16) adapted tobe placed around the outer rim (3) of the toilet bowl, to enable thedispenser to be removed from the bowl after use. This is illustrated inFIG. 15. The hook (16) is preferably made from a resilient material, forexample the same material as the remainder of the dispenser. One or morehooks (16), for example 1, 2, or 3, may be provided. As an alternativeembodiment the dispenser may be removed simply by pulling it out fromthe bowl after use, preferably by means of a separate tool adapted toengage and hold the dispenser.

The dispenser may be sold in elongate form or in a form in which italready forms a loop. It may or may not already comprise the substanceto be released in the bowl. For some embodiments of the dispenser suchas that shown in FIG. 5 where a gel (10) has to be extruded onto themember (7) it is essential that the dispenser already comprises thesubstance. In other embodiments the dispenser may be sold eithercontaining or not containing the substance. In these embodiments thedispenser may be filled or refilled by the consumer. For example 1 f thedispenser is in the form of a hollow tube it may contain an end capwhich a consumer may remove to fill the tube with the substance insolid, gel or liquid form, following which the cap is replaced. Anotherpossibility is for the cap to contain a lid which can be removed andreplaced. If the substance is in liquid form an inlet may be provided atany place on the dispenser for liquid to be injected from a suitablecontainer. This embodiment is preferred since the dispenser may simplybe left in place on the lavatory bowl while it is refilled. Thesubstance used for filling or refilling the dispenser may be provided,for example, in a suitable container such as a bottle, tube or aerosol.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment wherein a dispenser (17) is providedwith an end cap (18) which serves as an inlet means for a consumer tofill or refill the dispenser. The consumer opens the lid (19) and fillsthe dispenser (17) with a substance provided in, for example, a bottle.The cap (18) also comprises a clip (20) to hold the cap upright so thatit can easily be refilled. However, such a clip (20) does not have to bepresent if the cap (18) is already sufficiently rigid or if the cap (18)does not have to be held upright because, for example, an aerosol isused to fill or refill the dispenser. As an alternative embodiment therefilling means can be provided at any position along the dispenser, forexample in the middle.

Alternative filling systems are illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 24. In FIG.17 there is shown a dispenser (24) located under the rim (25) of atoilet bowl (26). The dispenser (24) is provided with an aperture (27)for receiving the nozzle (28) of funnel (29). Funnel (29) is providedwith a port (30) for receiving an outlet (31) of a container (32) forstoring the substance (33). The funnel (29) may be provided with aflange (34) to the rear of which may be a double sided adhesive patch(35) which adheres to the toilet bowl rim (25) to hold the funnel (29)in position. The container (32) is positioned on the funnel (29) withthe container outlet (31) located within the port (30) and the funnelflange (34) locating in a slot (36) formed on the back of the container(32). Thus the substance (33) flows out of the container (32), throughthe funnel (29) and into the dispenser (24). This embodiment of theinvention is particularly advantageous as the containers (32) may besold separately as re-fill cartridges and can easily be used to replacethe old container (32) once it is empty.

An alternative filling system is illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21. In thisembodiment the container (32) has an outlet (31) which engages directlywith the dispenser aperture (27). The container (32) is held in positionby means of a resilient bracket (37) which hooks over the outside of thetoilet bowl rim (25) at one end and is located within an opening (38) inthe top of the container (32). The portion of the bracket (37) whichextends into the opening is essentially tubular and the consumer canfill or re-fill the container (32) from a bottle via this tube (39).

The bracket (37) may be adjustable to accommodate different sizes andconfigurations of toilet bowl rims (35). A removal means (40) may beprovided at the other end of the dispenser (24) to make it easier toremove the dispenser (24) from the toilet bowl together with its fillingmeans. This removal means (40) may also be adjustable to accommodatedifferent sizes of rims (25).

The removal means (40) may also support means for venting the dispenser(24) although suitable venting means may be provided, if desired, at anypoint on the dispenser (24). In this embodiment an outlet is connectedto the end of the dispenser (24), which outlet comprises a venting pipewhich runs along a surface of the removal means (40) ending in avertical pipe in open contact with the air. The pipe and outletdiameters are chosen to avoid overflowing.

FIG. 22 shows a slightly adapted version of the filling system of FIGS.19 to 21. In this embodiment the container outlet (31) locates aroundthe aperture (27). Additionally the bracket (37) is attached in adifferent manner to the container (32), in this instance it is attachedto a rear of the container via appropriate means and not via a tubeinserted into the container opening (38). To fill the container of thisembodiment of the filling system a simple opening (38) is provided inthe top of the container (32).

In FIGS. 23 and 24 there is shown an embodiment of a dispenser showingan alternative way to adjust the length of the elongate member (41).

The elongate member (41) comprises a section of greater diameter (41 a)and a section of smaller diameter (41 b). The diameters of the sections(41 a), (41 b) are selected so that the section of smaller diameter (41b) fits and slides inside the section of larger diameter (41 a), whilststill making a fluid-type seal therebetween. At opposite ends of thesections (41 a), (41 b) to where they meet, they each fit onto or insidetubular arms (42) of a T-piece connector (43). The third arm (44) of theT-piece connector receives a funnel (29) from a container (32).Obviously the specific filling system may be any of those describedabove, which communicate directly with the T-piece connector arm (44).

1. A dispenser for releasing a liquid substance into a toilet bowl,comprising a non-porous elongate resilient tubular member for retaininga liquid substance and at least partially releasing the substance whenthe toilet is flushed, said tubular member being of sufficientresilience and length so that it is longitudinally self-supportableunder the rim of a toilet bowl, wherein the tubular member has at leastone opening closed by a porous material which allows liquid but notsolid substances to pass through such that, when saturated with a liquidsubstance in use, said dispenser enables the release of at least a partof the substance when the toilet is flushed.
 2. A dispenser as accordingto claim 1 in which the porous material is located in the at least oneopening in the tubular member.
 3. A dispenser according to claim 2 inwhich the opening in the tubular member comprises a single slit runningalong its entire length, in which is located a continuous elongateinsert of porous material.
 4. A dispenser according to claim 2 in whichthe tubular member has a plurality of openings along its length, in eachof which is located an insert of porous material.
 5. A dispenseraccording to claim 1 in which the porous material covers the at leastone opening in the tubular member.
 6. A dispenser according to claim 5in which the at least one opening in the tubular member comprises asingle slit running along substantially its entire length.
 7. Adispenser according to claim 5 in which the at least one opening in thetubular member comprises a plurality of slits along its length.
 8. Adispenser according to claim 5 in which the porous material is providedin the form of a cylinder encapsulating the tubular member.
 9. Adispenser according to claim 5 in which the porous material is providedin the form of a cylinder located within the tubular member.
 10. Adispenser according to claim 2 or 5 in which the porous material isprovided in the form of an arcuate section attached to the tubularmember to close the at least one opening.
 11. A dispenser according toclaims 1 which is deformable to form a circular or near-circular loopand which comprises means to enable the circumference of the loop to bealtered.
 12. A dispenser according to claim 11 in which thecircumferential length altering means comprises a clip adapted to holdthe elongate tubular member at each of its ends.
 13. A dispenseraccording to claim 12 in which the circumferential length altering meansis provided by a second elongate resilient member having a greaterdiameter than the aforementioned elongate resilient tubular member andin which said aforementioned elongate resilient tubular member istelescopically received.
 14. A dispenser according to claims 1 furthercomprising a removal means adapted to be placed around the outer rim ofthe toilet bowl to enable the dispenser to be removed from the bowlafter use.
 15. A dispenser according to claims 1 further comprising asubstance to be released into the toilet bowl.
 16. A dispenser accordingto claim 15 wherein the substance comprises at least one of a bleach,cleaner, surfactant, perfume or disinfectant.
 17. A dispenser accordingto claim 15 comprising inlet means through which the resilient tubularmember may be refilled with the substance.
 18. A dispenser according toclaim 17 further comprising a container for storing a quantity of thesubstance, said container being in communication with the inlet means.19. A dispenser according to claim 18 in which the container isremovably attachable to the dispenser.
 20. A dispenser according toclaim 18 further comprising a bracket for supporting the container onthe rim of the toilet bowl.
 21. A dispenser according to claim 20 inwhich the bracket further provide a conduit inserted into the inletmeans of the container.
 22. A dispenser according to claim 18 in whichthe container has inlet means through which the container may berefilled with the substance.
 23. A dispenser according to claim 18further including adhesive means for attaching the container to the rimof the toilet bowl.
 24. A dispenser according to claim 15 wherein saidtubular member has a length such that, in use, the substance is releasedinto the toilet bowl around the entire circumference of the rim of saidtoilet bowl.